Team Passos Jiu Jitsu — Local services in Sterling

I walked into Team Passos an out of shape 44 year old with two very small kids at home. I very much needed a change and a challenge. 3 years later I am calmer, in shape, more confident and have a whole new group of friends (and skills!) This is the best academy in the Nova area regardless of your goals (some people drive more than an hour AND past many other academies to come here). They have an extremely competitive track, but also have a track for a hobbyist like me. There are a few things that stand out to me about this academy. 1. They have A LOT of people who come here from other academies because the quality of instruction is so high and the culture is so welcoming. This is by any measure a team and family environment. 2. The coaches reward commitment with their commitment. It's easy to get side tracked in life with kids, work, and other things. The coaches keep you committed and accountable in a very friendly and encouraging manner. 3. As a more mature practitioner my goals are different from a younger player, and I also tend to get dinged up easier. The coaches and teammates are aware and work around minor bumps and bruises. It's not uncommon for a coach to walk by and say "don't go on his left arm, it's a bit dinged up" which is good because they know how to push but not push too far based on the individual. 4. I grew up doing old school karate, as an older guy the pageantry and rigidity of traditional martial arts was not appealing aka 'yes sir, no sir', katas, all the yelling. BJJ is a such a refreshing culture, it's deadly but so much more collegial, less hierarchical and much more team oriented. This mentality is embodied from the top down. The owner Tony is a charismatic force of nature with every person, friend and parent who walks in the door.

I also got my 4 and 6 year old daughter into their kids program called Zoojitsu. If I 5/5 star recommend this academy for adults, I will 10 star it for kids. They have figured out the magic formula for the kids classes, they are fun, team oriented, safe, but challenging. Prof. Josh runs the classes and is a natural at running an engaging kids class. My daughters have grown tremendously with this program. Their athleticism, coordination, confidence and strength is 1-2 years above their peers. My 7 year old dominates the soccer field because she is so fast and unafraid.

If Google could give me 10 stars I would give 10 given all the ways this sport and academy has benefited me and my family. Kudos to a great academy and team!

Matt from...

I was trying out Virginia bjj schools while I was in town for work. A brown belt popped my tibia my first time there. I've been hurt by lower level belts but if a brown belt breaks something its hard to believe he didn't do it on purpose. He arm barred another white belt to the point where he screamed not five minutes before he arm barred me. I rolled with that particular brown belt again and again until he hurt my arm because the passos instructor told me to. At some schools they tell you who to roll with so it's hard to avoid people you are apprehensive about and this is one of those schools. I've signed a lot of jiu jitsu waivers, passos is the only one I've seen that tries to exclude liability for intentional torts. That means if you go to team passos and the professor himself decides to kill you because he is in a bad mood then in theory you have signed away your family's right to sue him for killing you. As a separate issue of course he would have criminal liability but why in Gods name would you try to exclude liability for intentional acts? As a lawyer I believe this contract provision is probably unenforceable as a violation of public policy. However it is still important as a reflection of the mindset of the school, and definitely sends the wrong message to the people capable of hurting other people at the school. I called out the school because of what happened and the professor told me that it is normal to get your elbow popped every couple of months. I asked my regular professor abouth this and he said no it's not true. The school itself is very popular, many children in the kids classes. I am surprised that parents sign the intentional torts provision for their children but maybe they just think it's normal? It's not. I understand jiu jitsu injuries happen but at the end I don't believe what happened to me is fully an accident rather it's a reflection of the culture of the school. And although there are things I liked about the school the possibility of getting injured is the single most important issue with any school so one star.

(Edited a few months later: you might think from reading this that brown belt was acting as an enforcer and I had been too rough with someone at school but no I never rolled with anyone else at the school. In warmups I was paired with a guy of similar size to myself and nothing bad happened except that I was out of shape and couldn't keep up.. brown belt's act was not enforcement just...

I am currently a three stripe white belt at Team Passos Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and have been training consistently at this academy for a little over two years. I was looking for a way to enhance my self-defense skills, and continue staying physically fit. It has been a constant battle since turning 47 years old. A friend of my wife suggested Team Passos Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and I decided to take a trial class. Upon entering the academy I was greeted at the door by Coach Andrew Potocko, who was inviting and professional and assured me that the academy was serious about the Art. The Academy is very clean and as I later learned it is cleaned, and sanitized by the very instructors that teach there. The Academy appeared very large with plenty of mat space and ample seating for both students and family. It was enjoyable being able to see other students practicing before my class began, and it helped to set my mind at ease. This first thing you will notice is the booming voice of the head instructor/owner Professor Tony Passos which is filled with exuberance and compassion and is both intimidating and inspiring at the same time. I often come early just to watch his interaction with the students and see the smiles on their faces. It was different watching the head instructor teaching the kids program, which is called ‘Zoo-Jitsu’. In other Academies I have visited lower belts usually are the instructors, but not here - Professor Passos personally teaches these classes. Professor Passos’ passion for the Art is felt everywhere in the Academy, and also resonates in his students. I felt a little overwhelmed in the beginning, but there was always a coach or friendly face helping me throughout the class. The coach of my fundamentals class was Professor Josh Pike. His knowledge as an instructor is only matched by his skill as a competitor. He patiently and thoroughly answers any questions you may have and explains them in a way that only a seasoned competitor can do. After class many students choose to stay to discuss techniques and build friendships. It is times like these where students learn what Professor Passos means when he says, “It's not about Jiu Jitsu”. Whatever your goal may be, Team Passos can help to not only achieve it but help you to find strength you never thought you had. I was hooked after the first class and have only become more impressed with this Academy as my...